James Pearce reveals what to expect as Mohamed Salah returns for Liverpool | OneFootball

Mohamed Salah Returns to Liverpool as Arne Slot Faces a Defining Decision

Mohamed Salah’s return to Liverpool training this week felt deliberately symbolic. Late onto the pitch, warmly greeted by team-mates, and swiftly back in the travelling squad for Marseille, it was a reminder that even after eight and a half years, his presence still alters the atmosphere around the club. As reported by The Athletic, Salah’s reintegration after Africa Cup of Nations duty comes at a critical juncture for both player and manager.

What follows now will shape Liverpool’s season, and possibly the final chapter of one of the most influential careers in the club’s modern history.

Photo: IMAGO

Salah Back in the Fold After AFCON

Salah returned from Morocco without silverware but with renewed purpose. Egypt’s defeat to Nigeria on penalties in the third place play off ended five demanding weeks on international duty, yet the forward made clear he required no rest. That stance was welcomed by Arne Slot, who included him immediately in preparations for the Champions League trip to Marseille.

The images from training carried weight. There was no sense of a player on the fringes or a relationship beyond repair. Andy Robertson’s embrace and Salah’s easy interactions with Curtis Jones and Jeremie Frimpong suggested fences had been mended after December’s turbulence.

That turbulence stemmed from Salah’s explosive comments following the 3-3 draw with Leeds United, when he was left on the bench. He claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and made a scapegoat, adding that his relationship with Slot had “completely broken down”. Those remarks led to his omission from the squad for the Champions League tie at Inter, a decision taken by sporting director Richard Hughes with Slot’s backing.

Repairing Relationships at Anfield

Behind the scenes, however, pragmatism prevailed. Constructive talks followed Liverpool’s return from Italy, and Salah was recalled against Brighton. Curtis Jones later revealed that Salah apologised to his team-mates, a gesture that helped calm a febrile dressing room.

Slot remained measured, insisting there was “no issue to resolve”. Salah’s response came on the pitch. His assist for Hugo Ekitike sealed a 2-0 win and took him to a landmark 277 goal involvements for Liverpool, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record at Manchester United. The applause around Anfield and Salah’s tap of the club crest felt more like affirmation than farewell.

As Salah himself said afterwards, smiling as he avoided the media, “Two weeks in a row? No, no, no.”

Tactical Questions for Slot

Liverpool’s form during Salah’s absence was steady but hardly convincing. Unbeaten in seven matches, they won only three, including a laboured FA Cup victory over Barnsley. Defensive compactness improved, yet attacking fluency suffered.

Slot acknowledged as much on Tuesday. “I’m really happy and pleased that he’s back. In his absence, we’ve done really OK in hardly conceding a chance, and we’ve started to create more, and now we’re creating more chances, it’s really helpful to have a player like Mo Salah.”

He added, with pointed realism, “We will never know, but the number of chances and ball possession against Burnley, with Mo on the pitch, would usually mean we would score more.”

The manager was also keen to dampen suggestions of an ongoing rift. “There’s been one moment in the season where I decided not to play Mo. Every other game, he’s been in the squad… Let’s see the line-up tomorrow if you think there’s still an issue.”

Given Cody Gakpo’s struggles and Florian Wirtz’s versatility, restoring Salah to the right flank against Marseille appears logical. Liverpool need points to secure a top eight finish in the Champions League league phase and avoid a play off round.

What Happens Next for Salah

Salah’s future beyond this season remains a quiet undercurrent. January interest from Saudi Arabia never crystallised, and Liverpool were adamant he was not for sale. His salary and competitive instincts make Europe the natural stage for now.

The reality, as The Athletic outline, is mutual dependence. Salah’s numbers this season, five goals and four assists in 20 appearances, fall short of his usual standards. Yet his AFCON return of four goals and an assist hinted at renewed sharpness. Liverpool, meanwhile, lack a comparable source of goals and authority in the final third.

Common sense has reasserted itself. Salah still matters, and Liverpool still need him.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, Salah’s return feels less like a subplot and more like a reset button. December’s drama was uncomfortable, but it never truly felt like the end. Players of Salah’s stature do not drift quietly into the background, and nor should they be expected to.

Supporters recognise that Arne Slot is navigating a transitional season, inheriting a squad shaped by a different era and dealing with enormous emotional weight after recent years. Against that backdrop, Salah’s frustration was human, even if the public airing of it was ill judged. What mattered most was the response, and apologising to team-mates spoke volumes.

On the pitch, Liverpool look short of belief without him. Control and compactness are valuable, but Anfield has always thrived on moments, and Salah remains the player most capable of producing them. His presence lifts the crowd, unsettles opponents and changes how games are approached.

There is also a wider sense that this season demands unity. Injuries, inconsistency and pressure from rivals mean Liverpool cannot afford internal fractures. Seeing Salah back, smiling and involved, reassures supporters that the club’s priorities are aligned.

If this is the final stretch of Salah’s Liverpool career, fans will want it defined by contribution rather than conflict. For now, it feels like the right player is back in the right place, at exactly the right time.